A Rockcastle County woman has been charged with murder in the dog mauling death of a man.
Early Friday morning, Kentucky State Police responded to a residence on Hwy 25 in Conway, about 20 miles south of Berea, and found a pit bull standing over the lifeless body of 55-year-old Donald W. Abner, of Richmond.
Kentucky State Police told WKYT.com that during an apparent argument the dog’s owner, 38-year-old Melissa Wolke, urged the pit bull to attack Abner. Witnesses further told police that Wolke was punching Abner as she commanded her dog to attack him. Police said Wolke and Abner were friends but have not said what precipitated the fatal attack, which occurred on Wolke’s property.
The Rockcastle County Coroner said Abner suffered bites to his head and neck area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog was put down by troopers.
Wolke was arrested and charged with murder, menacing, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and alcohol intoxication in a public place. She is lodged in the Rockcastle County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash bond.
In 2019, 33 of 48 fatal dog attacks in the U.S. were perpetrated by pit bulls or pit bull mixes (some of the fatal attacks were committed by more than one breed of dog).
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
